“Yeah, I agree. That’s the part that was bugging me and why I sought your opinion. I’m scratching my head over this one.”
“Rightly so. I’d be doing the same in your shoes. Do you have any idea who the culprits are yet?”
“No, we’ve got some pretty good visuals on them, but the system is being super slow, which hasn’t helped our cause.”
“Yeah, our guys have said the same this week. It’s old and needs updating. Want to send me some pics? You never know, they might have moved area and could possibly be from up here. Stranger things have happened.”
“I’ll do that when I get off the phone. Take a gander and let me know. Thanks for your help, matey.”
“Always welcome. Stay safe down there.”
“Right backatcha.”
Katy sorted out the images and looked up Les’ number in her contacts. She sent him the files and waited for his response. Thankfully, it was almost instantaneous.
Sorry, I can’t help you. Decent shots, though. Have you thought about asking the public for help?
Thought about it but dodged the idea. You know how I hate being in front of the camera.
Tell me about it. It might be your only option. Ring me if you need me.
I will. Thanks, Les. X
Ignoring the post piled on her desk, she returned to the incident room. “Anyone got anything for me?”
Karen looked up and raised her hand. “I have something interesting you might want to see.”
Katy raced across the room and stood by Karen’s desk. “I’m all ears. What have you got?”
“When I checked the Thatchams’ bank accounts the other day, I put an alert up for any major transactions to come through. I’ve just received a notification that Ray Thatcham made two payments to two separate accounts around the time of his death.”
“Very interesting. Do we know to whom?”
“Yes, two women. The first is an Alison Temple, and the second is a Katrina Banks.”
“What sum are we talking about, Karen?”
“A hundred grand each.”
“Wow, that’s a lot of wonga. Let’s see if we can trace these women and see what their connection is with the deceased.”
“I’ll get on it now and give you a shout if I stumble across anything.”
“You do that. Anyone for coffee?”
The team all shouted back either yes or no. There was only one no, and that was Charlie.
Katy stopped by her desk. “Everything all right? It’s not like you to turn down a shot of caffeine.”
“I’m fine. I’ve decided to up my intake of water during the day, that’s all.”
“Go you. I know we should all do it, but I prefer coffee to the taste of nothing.” Katy laughed. “Can you give me a hand?”
Charlie left her desk and followed Katy to the vending machine. “I hope the boss was kind to you once you disappeared into your office.”
“He was. He asked how you were getting on. I raised a few concerns.”
“What? You did? Why didn’t you say something to me first? If you have a problem with either me or the way I work you should’ve told me first.”
“Climb down off your high horse. I was winding you up. Actually, I told him the reverse, said that you had impressed me beyond words since you’d started.”
Charlie’s cheeks turned crimson. “Aww…you didn’t?”
“I did. I only speak the truth, Charlie. Now, if we can put our heads together and crack this case quickly, Roberts might have another dream team on his hands.”
“That would be cool. It’s a tough one, though. However, I did think the chief had a good idea.”
“A possible truck hiding the vehicles once they’ve been stolen? Yep, I agree.”
“I’ve been looking into it, checking the CCTV cameras around the areas, but haven’t come up with anything yet.”
“That’s a pity, it could take hours to find a clue. Will you keep at it?”
“Of course. I’m not one to give up easily, you should know that.”
Katy smiled. “I do. Hand these out, will you?”
Charlie distributed the drinks to the team and then returned to her desk.
“I’ll be dredging through the post. You have my permission to interrupt my boredom at any time.” She carried her coffee into the office.
Halfway through the mundane chore, she glanced up when Karen stuck her head into the room. “By the smile on your face, I take it you have good news for me.”
“I have.”
“Come in, take a seat.” Katy placed the letter and her pen on the desk and put her hands together.
“I’ve managed to locate the two women through the electoral roll and then I searched Facebook to see if they had accounts on there.”
“Good thinking. Tell me you hit the jackpot.”
“I did. Both women are friends with each other. Looks like they have expensive lifestyles, and yet neither of them works, not from what I can tell.”
“Interesting, don’t tell me they’re sex workers? Or possible escorts?”
“They might well be, except I’ve stumbled across something even better than that. Do you want to join me at my desk and I’ll show you what I’m talking about?”
Katy tore out of the room after Karen.
“What the hell?” Katy said as she peered at the screen.
9
“Right, let’s get these women in for questioning,” Katy replied, excited and dumbfounded by the information Karen had managed to gather from the social media profiles for both women.
“Can I ask on what grounds?” Charlie said.
“Association to a wanted criminal. See for yourself. The evidence is as clear as day. These women are connected to the two thugs who were on board the boat the day Thatcham and Lascombe died.”
“Whoa! And he transferred the money to their accounts before he died?”
“It seems that way. We need to find out why. Graham and Stephen, I want you to take two uniformed officers with you and collect them. Tread carefully. The first sign of trouble, I want
